**Water Purifier Bestsellers**
Do you want to learn more about purified water? Do you know if your brand is safe to drink?
Do you want to know all the good purified water can do for our bodies? How about all the BAD?
If you want to know more about purified water, you're certainly in the RIGHT PLACE! Read on...
There are enough reasons why drinking purified water should be on the top of your daily to-do list. Drinking enough water everyday can do wonders for your overall health. If you are always reaching out for bottle drinking water, there are few very important things you should know about the water you are consuming.
There are many known brands that offer bottled purified drinking water. But if you are concerned about the safety of your drinking water, we can help to ease a lot of your worries regarding how to know if the water you are having is actually safe, and tell you more about where it comes from.
In this article, we will tell you what is purified drinking water and how it is different from spring water or distilled water. We will also tell you about where it comes from and whether or not it is actually safe for you to drink it. You can also find out more about any fluoride content that may be present and what effect it can have on you and your loved ones’ health.
Also, we will tell you more about where to buy it from if you are not able to purify your drinking water at home. And also how to know when water goes bad and is not fit for drinking, and how to increase the shelf life of your purified drinking water.
Why is it important to learn more about the water that you drink?
The source of your drinking water is always important, because it tells you a lot about the type of water you are consuming. Getting water in bottles is a very common sight today, with Americans drinking more than 2 billion gallons of bottled water a year! According to a news report, in the year 2016, Americans drank more bottled water than soda.
Here is why you should know more about the water that you are drinking!
- Unfortunately, there is no regulation yet that demands brands to spell out the source of their bottled water. This means that most buyers of bottled drinking water may never know where the water is actually coming from, even though you pay a big price for it.
- In a study done earlier, it was found that only 55 percent of bottled water brands are actually spring water, while the remaining 45 percent brands sell treated tap water as bottled water. It was also found out by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) that almost 18 percent of the brands selling bottled water provide no information on where the water is originating from.
- On top of that, a staggering 32 percent out of the total 173 brands selling bottled water did not provide any information on their labels about the purity of their water or the type of treatment procedures that they use. This means that, even though you are paying a price for the water that you want to be pure to drink, you don’t have any idea about where it is coming from!
What is purified water for drinking?
Purified drinking water is the type of drinking water in which the impurities are reduced to such an extent that they do not form more than 10 parts per million. These numbers are extremely high when compared to the requirement for regular drinking water, such as tap water that is deemed safe for drinking by the Environmental Protection Agency.
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So what happens in case of water purification for drinking?
- In case of purified drinking water, the pathogens and chemicals are removed, but it may still contain traces of microbes.
- You may think that purified drinking water and filtered drinking water is actually the same thing. But in reality, this is quite different. It is true that all water that is fit to be consumed goes through some or the other filtration process, but in case of water that is purified, the standards of filtration and treatment are far stricter.
- Water purification has to go through very strict purification as well as filtration standards. As a result, purified drinking water can actually originate from any source, such as tap water, spring water or even ground water.
How is purified water different from spring water and distilled water?
Water purification, spring water, distilled water – is there really much of a difference?
If you think these are essentially the same, or are confused about what these actually mean and how they are different from the other, do read on.
Purified Water
- This type of water can come from any source, but it goes through a very strict purification and filtration process which makes it very safe for drinking.
- The process helps to eliminate any traces of contaminants as well as chemicals from the water.
- There are various types of purification processes that can be used to treat the water and make it into purified drinking water, such as carbon filtration, distillation, reverse osmosis and deionization.
Spring Water (vs. Water Purification)
- Spring water is the type of water that is most often found in bottled water. It originates from an underground source and may or may not be exposed to a purification process or water treatment process.
- While the first picture that comes to mind when you say the words ‘spring water’ is that of a fresh flowing spring, it may not really be the real situation. In many cases, spring water may not even be the best choice when it comes to choosing the purest form of drinking water, and you may actually have better and healthier drinking water options to choose from.
- In fact, a few studies have actually found the presence of phthalates and other contaminants in bottled spring water. Also, studies report that because most bottled water brands do not disclose their source of water, it is difficult to understand where your water is coming from. As a result, this type of water may not be the healthiest choice to drink.
- As compared to water that is purified, spring water goes through very less distillation process. This is because in case of spring water, it is important to keep as many minerals as possible in the water.
Distilled Water (vs. Water Purification)
- Distilled water is actually another type of water that is purified. This type of water gets treated through a very strict filtration process, which removes any contaminants present in the water. Along with the contaminants, the very extensive filtration process also often removes any natural minerals that may be present in the water.
- It is best to use distilled water in small appliances only, such as a steam iron or a hot water urn. This is because using distilled water will not cause any limescale build-up that may happen when you use tap water instead.
- However, unlike what you may have believed till now, distilled water is not really the best choice when it comes to drinking it. This is because almost all, or most of the natural minerals present in the water, which are actually supposed to be good for your health, are stripped off the water in the extensive filtration and purification process.
How is water purified?
Today, more and more people are drinking bottled water for various reasons. You may be drinking bottled water because it is easily available, maybe you travel a lot and need water on the go, or simply because drinking it from a sealed bottle makes you feel assured and more comfortable about the quality of the water.
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Water that is purified actually makes up for most of the bottled drinking water that you get in the market. The reason behind this is the strict purification treatment that it goes through. In most cases, water that is purified originates at a spring, or at any groundwater or surface source. In some cases, it can also directly come out of a tap. The thing about water that is purified is that no matter where it comes from originally, the final water that you get when you drink is always clean and pure. The reason behind this is the strict purification process that it is made to go through.
Your purified drinking water may be coming from any of the sources mentioned above. As long as it comes through a purification system that functions properly, the water will almost always be very fit for drinking. This is precisely the reason why it is better to drink water that is purified than spring water, distilled water or even tap water or filtered water. Because of its strict purification process, while comparing the standards of purity in drinking water, purified drinking water is always considered to be on the top of the list.
Is purified water *SAFE* to drink?
The word purified makes you think that this is the best type of water you can have, right? Can you drink water that is purified? Is it really that safe to drink, no matter what source it comes from?
With so much environmental pollution all around us, it is getting increasingly difficult to make sure that what comes on your plate and in your bottle is clean and safe to eat and drink. The same could be true for your bottle of drinking water too.
How is purified water *GOOD* for you?
If the water has been put through so many filtration and purification processes, there are bound to be at least a few reasons that make it good for consumption. Here are a few reasons why it is actually good for you.
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1. It contains no contaminants or pollutants:
Water that has been purified goes through a very rigorous process of filtration treatment, which removes all traces of contaminants that may have earlier been present in it. The level at which its purity is checked and approved is significantly higher than what spring water or distilled water gets approved for. In the case of water that is purified, the impurities cannot form more than 10 parts per million. In some cases, it may still have some traces of microbes. However, any chemical or pathogens that may otherwise be present in the water are entirely removed. The water that you finally get in the form of purified drinking water is as clean as it can get.
2. It is good for your overall health:
When you buy water that is purified for drinking, check the label to read about information that states the water has been through filtration and has also passed through the reverse osmosis unit. The first health benefit you get from drinking a good amount of water is to stay hydrated. Not only does drinking water make you stay healthy, it also makes you look and feel good. Being hydrated can help you look younger and keep your skin looking fresh and delay signs of aging. Not just that, drinking water is also very good for your bones and hair!
3. It tastes better and encourages you to drink more:
This type of water is as clean as it gets. Most of the contaminants present in water, such as bacteria, parasites, viruses, and so on get removed in the extensive filtration and purification process. As a result, what you are left with is the purest and most refreshing taste of clean water. When the water tastes good, you are naturally encouraged to drink more. Drinking at least 8 to 10 glasses of water on a daily basis is essential to stay hydrated and avoid a host of health issues.
How is purified water *BAD* for you?
When you drink water that is purified, it should ideally be good for your health, right? While there are reasons that make it for drinking so popular, there are other reasons that make it not so good for you after all. Here are a few reasons that show that drinking water that is purified over a long period of time may actually be bad for you.
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1. It may be bad for your heart health:
This type of water is very soft, and drinking it on a regular basis can increase your risk of heart related issues. Drinking more water that is purified increases your body’s acidic levels, and as a result, your body produces bicarbonate in the blood. It also leads to a deficiency of multiple minerals in the body. All this comes together to increase stress on your heart and is bad for your overall cardiovascular health.
2. It may increase acidity in the body:
One of the features of water that is purified is that it acts as an active absorber. This means that, the moment it comes in contact with regular air, it absorbs all the carbon dioxide that is present in the air. As a result, the water that is purified itself turns acidic. With repeated contact with air, the acidic level in the water turns really high. Every time you drink this water, you increase the acidic levels in your body. This type of water barely contains any minerals, and as a result, it dissolves all the substances it comes in contact with. Just like carbon dioxide, it also dissolves many of the metals.
3. It may cause a loss of minerals:
Drinking soft water over a long period of time, can eat away in your body’s reserve of various minerals. Especially at a loss are calcium and magnesium, which means you have deficiency of some much-needed minerals in the body. When the levels of calcium, magnesium and other minerals in your body start dipping, it makes you more prone to various health issues. Some such health problems that could arise out of these deficiencies are osteoporosis, high blood pressure, hyperthyroid, coronary artery disease, as well as various degenerative diseases that are otherwise associated with early signs of aging.
Purified Water pH Levels
The pH level of water is generally done to check whether the water is soft water type or hard water type. In case of pure water, the pH level is 7. When water has a pH level of less than 7, it is considered to be acidic. When water has a pH level of more than 7, it is considered to be regular water.
Pure waters pH essentially depends on the type of water, whether it is water that is purified or distilled water, or even the sparkling type. The pH of water that is purified in case of bottled drinking water is supposed to be between 6.9 and 7.5.
If the water is coming from a surface water system, the ideal pH level should be between 6.5 and 8.5. Similarly, if the water is from a groundwater system, the ideal pH level should be between 6 and 8.5.
Does purified water have fluoride?
Fluoride is a type of chemical ion that is found naturally in water, in different types of soil, foods as well as in different types of minerals. It is known to keep your teeth protected from tooth decay.
As a result, even though fluoride occurs naturally, in a lot of instances it is added to water to reduce the chances of tooth decay.
Who can benefit from additional fluoride?
- Those who do not maintain good dental hygiene
- If you have an unhealthy diet that comprises of too many sweet and savoury items
- If you have had a history of cavities and tooth decay
- In case you have already done various tooth related procedures
In such cases, you may find it beneficial to have added fluoride in the water that you use.
However, when you are exposed to excess fluoride, the problems start to show up. In case you are using water that has been treated to additional fluoride, you may get excess fluoride exposure in the following ways:
***NOTE: Flouride in your water can be bad
While many people believe that it is good to have some fluoride added to the water, it can actually be a bad thing, if the exposure is too much.
Here are a few health risks you are exposed to, if there is too much fluoride in your purified drinking water:
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- In a lot of the cases, children who are getting or yet to get their permanent teeth can suffer tooth damage due to fluoride exposure at a very young age. In such cases, the enamel in the teeth can show white marks that point towards dental fluorosis.
- In very severe cases of fluoride exposure, the teeth can become discoloured and have brown marks. Also, the enamel can become chipped as well as rough, and it can become difficult to clean the teeth properly. These stains and marks are permanent, and with time, will only get darker and more visible.
- Over exposure to fluoride also causes skeletal fluorosis. This is a condition which can lead to permanent damage to joints and bones in severe cases, along with pain and discomfort. When there is too much fluoride in the body, it can harden the bones and make them lose their elasticity. Eventually, this can put you at risk of fractures.
- Excess fluoride can also increase your risk of thyroid related health issues. In such a case, your thyroid gland can get damaged and cause hyperparathyroidism. When that happens, the amount of parathyroid hormones that is secreted by the glands goes out of control. This leads to calcium depletion in the bones and can lead to too much calcium deposits in the blood.
Can I buy water that is purified?
If you are looking at natural ways to purify your drinking water, you can do so at home. But if you are looking for ready to drink water that is purified, then here are some places where you can find a variety of it from different brands:
- Super markets
- Pharmacy stores
- Various department stores
- Online retail websites such as Amazon
- Some of the best brands in purified drinking water –Dasani, Pure Life, Aquafina, Smart Water and Voss
DIY Water Purification
And if you want to still try and purify your drinking water yourself, here is a very simple yet very effective and cheap water purifying process that you can easily try at home:
The cheapest and easiest way to make your drinking water absolutely pure is to boil it. Boiling will help you remove all of those impurities from water that you cannot see with the naked eye, but that can be disastrous for your health. All you have to do is let the water come to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it boil slowly for another 2 to 3 minutes, and then let it cool while keeping it covered.
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Purified Water Shelf life
Water never really goes bad, and does not actually have an expiration date. But the way it reacts with the air around it, and also the way it is stored can have an impact on its freshness and health value.
After about 12 hours of being exposed to the air, water starts to turn flat. This type of water is highly absorbent and reacts immediately to the carbon dioxide in the water. It means that, as the water comes in contact with the air, it starts interacting with the carbon dioxide, and the pH level starts to decrease.
Also, if the water is stored in a plastic bottle for long, and is also exposed to hot or warm temperatures, the chemical BPA from the bottle can mix in the water. BPA can cause serious health problems such as cancer and heart problems.
How Will You Know If The Purified Water Is Still Good To Drink?
When drinking the water, try to be careful about its taste and smell. Water that has gone bad can often taste or smell different, almost like a musty or moldy smell. Also, it can look a little cloudy and not clear. If you get a chemical taste in the water, spit it out immediately and throw it away.
How To Increase Purified Water's Shelf Life (5 Tips)
Here are a few ways in which you can increase the shelf life of water that is purified for drinking:
- Store it in a cool place, away from direct heat and light.
- Keep it away from chemical based products, such as paints, thinners and so on.
- Place the water in your refrigerator immediately after the first use.
- Do not leave the water in the car for long hours.
- Avoid buying very large containers and instead go for smaller ones, as it will ensure you finish the water faster, reducing chances of it going bad.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/03/10/americans-drank-bottled-water-soda-2016/
http://grist.org/food/bottled-water-doesnt-actually-come-from-where-you-think-it-does/
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http://www.livestrong.com/article/193977-what-do-carbon-filters-remove-from-water/
http://www.healthline.com/nutrition/distilled-water
https://www.nrdc.org/stories/truth-about-tap#table2
http://www.ewg.org/research/ewg-bottled-water-scorecard-2011#.Wa0rXMgjHIU
http://www.livestrong.com/article/352058-is-it-safe-to-drink-purified-water/
http://www.clearlycolorado.com/blog/purified-water-benefits/benefits-of-drinking-purified-water-the-healthier-option.html
http://blog.watershed.net/2008/06/03/why-purified-water-is-bad-for-you/
http://www.cebudoctorsuniversity.edu/2013/colleges/medicine/hospital/cardio/chua152.html
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https://www.eatbydate.com/drinks/how-long-does-water-last-shelf-life-expiration-date/
5 Essential Tips for Purified Water
- Invest in a water filter that is certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). This will ensure that your water is free of contaminants and bacteria.
- Look for a water filter that has a multi-stage filtration system. This will help to remove more impurities from the water, making it even cleaner.
- Make sure to replace your water filter regularly. Depending on the type of filter you have, this could be anywhere from every few months to every year.
- If you are using tap water, consider boiling it before drinking. Boiling can help to kill any bacteria or other contaminants in the water.
- Consider investing in a reverse osmosis system. This type of system can remove up to 99% of all contaminants from your drinking water.
ALSO: Try adding some fresh fruit or herbs to your water for an extra boost of flavor!
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About The Author
Joseph Bartley
Editor-In-Chief
Twitter | Crunchbase
Joseph Bartley, also known as the WaterFilterFanatic, is a seasoned content writer who specializes in water filtration and water quality topics. On AllAboutWaterFilters, he has written a range of water filtration system reviews, water health and quality articles, swimming pool, hot tub and aquarium filtration guides, DIY methods to assist people clean their drinking water, and much more. Joseph enjoys spending his time working with the #AllAboutWaterFilters Editorial Team to provide some of the best quality water filtration content available on the web.